IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

  • FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
  • Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
  • Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
  • FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
  • All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
  • All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality


Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
Specifically, FAO Country Offices\:
• Support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate.
• Assist in providing technical and delivering core services.
• Assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation.
• Assist in positioning FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation;
• Support in ensuring risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

Background

Access to sufficient and appropriate finance for forest and landscape restoration remains a major constraint in Africa, particularly for smallholder forest and farm producers, forest and farm producer organizations (FFPOs), and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. The finance that they can access, typically in the forms of small grants or loans from development agencies, NGOs, and microfinance institutions, is limited and insufficient. Finance is also challenging for SMEs (often off-takers of products coming from restored landscapes) that are too large to be served by microfinance institutions but too small to attract large funding and investments from banks (the “missing middle”).
The Supporting AFR100 Programme – “Achieving AFR100 with Forest and Farm Producers” seeks to address this constraint by supporting African countries in implementing their AFR100 restoration commitments through direct financial and technical support to local communities, FFPOs and enterprises. A core pillar of the programme is to strengthen engagement with national financial institutions, facilitate blended finance approaches, and mobilize additional public and private investment to scale up locally driven forest and landscape restoration.
The Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) is a partnership housed in the FAO and supported under an umbrella programme and a multi-donor Trust Fund, focusing on climate-resilient landscapes and improved livelihoods.
Under the Supporting AFR100 Programme, FFF leads key activities focused on financial institution engagement, investment matchmaking, and the pilot of financing instruments.
To effectively deliver on these objectives, FAO requires specialized national-level blended finance expertise capable of engaging financial institutions, supporting blended finance design, contributing to investment matchmaking processes, and facilitating knowledge exchange at country level.
This Call for Expressions of Interest is intended to establish a roster of qualified National Blended Finance Specialists who may be contracted on a short-term, demand-driven basis to support such activities under the Supporting AFR100 Programme or similar programs in Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania and Togo.

For Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Togo, the Call for Expressions of Interest is available in French.


Reporting Lines

The National Blended Finance Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the FAO Forestry Officer at NFO and the AFR100 Programme Manager Based in RAF.

Technical Focus

Support national-level engagement with financial institutions in the Supporting AFR100 programme countries, with the aim to improve the availability of and access to finance by smallholder forest and farm producers and small enterprises.


Tasks and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the FAO Forestry Officer at NFO and in collaboration with the AFR100 Programme Manager based at RAF, the National Blended Finance Specialist will\:
• Support national engagement with financial institutions to advance blended finance solutions for forest and landscape restoration, with particular attention to smallholders, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, FFPOs and MSMEs.
• Contribute to the organization and delivery of matchmaking events and meetings of the blended finance working group. In these meetings, the incumbent will
• Provide technical assistance for the preparation of case studies, speaking notes, terms of references, Letters of Agreements, reports, and related analytical products in support of the forest finance work of the country office, related to the theme of local finance institutions.
• Contribute to strengthening partnerships with financial institutions, financing vehicles and initiatives that are piloting blended finance solutions for restoration in Africa, with attention to smallholders/local communities/FFPOs/SMEs.
o Present the assessment of and analyses of relevant national financial institutions
o Contribute on preparation of investment memos, concept notes and investment teasers
o Engage with, motivate and prepare selected financing institutions for their active participation
o Provide technical input, as relevant, to matchmaking events and blended finance working group meetings organized in other Supporting AFR100 programme countries, to promote cross-country learning and coherence.
• Support in communication and knowledge exchange between national-level restoration finance initiatives FAO-supported international or regional blended finance working groups.
• Support monitoring of the Supporting AFR100 Programme, specifically on the following indicators\:
o Amount of additional funding or investments mobilized for FLR, including grant and non-grant resources
o Tracks grants, loans, investments, matching funds, and in-kind contributions leveraged by enterprises or partners beyond project resources. Includes both realised and earmarked funds.
o Number of Local Communities (including FFPOs) and MSMEs with improved access to incubation, acceleration and services
• In addition, the National Blended Finance Specialist may\:
o Support FAO personnel to liaise with the financial institutions partnering with FAO (example\: CRDB in the ongoing pilot called the “capitalization of financing instruments” in Tanzania);
o Support the blended finance focal point in the day-to-day activities related to co-design of financial instrument; definition of eligibility criteria; disbursement of funds; tracking loan performance; monitoring; dissemination of lessons through various means.
o Support the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned through appropriate knowledge and communication products


FAO Standards and guidelines\:

• Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
• All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including\:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31\: https\://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines\: https\://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines\: https\://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE https\://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http\://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names of Countries https\://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
• Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.


CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING


Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in economics, finance, development finance, environmental economics, sustainable finance, business administration or a related field.
• At least 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience in green finance, development finance, rural or SME finance, value chain finance or investment facilitation, with demonstrated relevance forestry, agroforestry, women and youth-led enterprises.
• Working knowledge of English
• National of the country of assignment or a resident in the country of assignment with a valid working permit


FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement


Technical/Functional Skills

• Professional Experience in Multiple Locations or Fields of Activity and within an International Organization.
• Extent and Relevance of Experience in Supporting Financial Institutions to Advance Blended Finance Solutions for Forest and Landscape Restoration Activities with Particular Attention to FFPOs and MSMEs
• Demonstrated Ability to Analyse, Structure and adapt Blended Finance Interventions in line with the Operational realities of Local Financial Institutions and the Specific needs of Actors in the Forest Landscape Restoration (FFPO, MSMEs, Local Communities).
• Ability to Provide Quality Technical Support to Produce Strategic and Analytical Deliverables, ensuring their Quality, Consistency and Relevance for Dialogue with Financial Institutions and National Partners (Guidance, Documents, Analytical Frameworks, Decision Support Tools)
• Solid Experience in Developing and Consolidating Financial Partnerships including the Ability to Navigate between Different Types of Actors (Banks, Funds, Pilot Initiatives) and to Support Collaborative Processes Related to Experimentation of Innovative Financing Instruments.
• Ability to Facilitate Technical Exchanges and Cross Learning Ensuring a Smooth Flow of Information and Good Practices Between National, Regional and International Initiatives on Restoration Financing.


Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated understanding of financial models and instruments, combined with experience working in development-oriented or blended finance contexts, including the use of grants, concessional loans, guarantees or technical assistance.
• Proven experience engaging with financial institutions and financing vehicles that operate in emerging markets or development contexts (e.g. development banks, public financial institutions, impact investors, green funds, microfinance institutions).
• Experience supporting or contributing to the preparation of investment-related documentation (e.g. concept notes, investment memos, pipeline assessments, teasers), particularly for projects with development, environmental or social objectives.
• Experience in undertaking interviews/consultation with multiple stakeholders, and in field surveys.
• Strong analytical synthesis and writing skills, with the ability to translate financial concepts into practical, context-appropriate recommendations.
• Strong interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity and focus on results.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
  • Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/
  • For other issues, visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
  • Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required. Vaccination status will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application

• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

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